ASICS and Distance launch capsule collection inspired by Kenyan running town Iten

Japanese sportswear company ASICS has teamed up with French running retailer Distance on a capsule collection inspired by Iten, the town in Kenya known for its running community. The ASICS x Distance collection is the first collaboration between the two companies and launches on October 10, 2026.

The capsule comprises 16 apparel pieces for men and women, ranging from technical running kits to lifestyle tops and hoodies. Most of the performance styles are reworked versions of pieces from ASICS' premium Metarun range. The collection is completed by the new Novablast 6 running shoe, which carries the collaboration's colour palette from apparel through to footwear.

Colours of Iten

The design draws on the red earth and sky of Iten, as well as the painted facades and textures of local houses, including the Distance store in the town. According to the companies, the brightly coordinated kits and unexpected colour combinations reflect the individual way runners in Iten style their training apparel. The pieces can be worn as complete kits or combined freely, from training sessions to the moments before and after.

"Running in Iten is inseparable from the place itself, from the red earth and the brightness of the sun to the shared rituals that surround every session," said Alistair Keys, head of design at ASICS. Keys added that the collection ties in with the company's purpose of helping more people experience the uplifting impact of movement on the mind, "from world-class athletes to first-time runners."

A personal connection

For Distance co-founder Guillaume Pontier, the project stems from a long personal link to athletics and to Kenya. His father, Jean-François Pontier, spent decades coaching some of France's leading middle and long distance athletes, and visits to Iten with him introduced Pontier to the town and its running community.

Those relationships later led Distance to open a permanent store in Iten in 2022, set up to make quality running products more accessible to local athletes. Run with local knowledge, the store has since become a meeting point for the community.

"Iten is much more than an inspiration board for us," said Pontier. "It is a place built on relationships, generosity and a deep, everyday commitment to running." He described the collection as a way of honouring the details that stayed with the team, from the sunrise runs and the red earth to the colours of the houses and the warmth of the community, and dedicated it to the company's friends in Iten.

The ASICS x Distance collection, including the Novablast 6, will be available from October 10, 2026 at Distance stores worldwide, through ASICS' own online store and at selected retail partners.